Page 30 - Bancroft Legal Planning Guide

SOME COMMON QUESTIONS
“I’ve added my kids’ names to my bank account. Is it a countable asset?”
Yes. The entire amount is counted unless you can prove some or all of the money was contributed by the other person who is on the account. It’s counted because you can withdraw the entire amount even though someone else’s name is on it. However, if a jointly owned asset, such as a certificate of deposit, U.S. Savings Bond, or brokerage account, cannot be accessed unless the other co-owners give their consent, and they refuse to consent, then the asset is unavailable and therefore, doesn’t count. But, beware, if the asset is unavailable, adding the kids as co-owners may result in a transfer penalty.
“My wife is entering a nursing home. Must I disclose all of our assets?”
Yes. But don’t worry. Federal law guarantees the right of a nursing home resident to legally protect assets via Medicaid planning. Proper planning enables one to obtain needed care while protecting assets for loved ones. But such a plan must ensure that benefits eligibility commences when other sources of payment are exhausted.
“Will my kids be liable for the cost of my nursing home care if I go broke?”
No, provided you qualify for Medicaid benefits immediately after your funds exhaust. That won’t happen if you engage in an improper pattern of gifting or fail to timely and properly document and file your Medicaid application (the most common reason for denial). However, in Pennsylvania, children who knowingly or even unintentionally violate Medicaid requirements can and have been held liable for the cost of their parents’ nursing home care through Pennsylvania’s
“filial” responsibility law.
“How can I ensure that my mother gets good nursing home care?”
Many important factors affect the quality of care in a nursing facility. These include staffing levels, specifically, the ratio of staff to residents, and frequency of visits from family and friends. Many problems can be avoided or minimized with frequent and regular visits by friends and loved ones. Seek the assistance of a qualified geriatric care manager (GCM) in selecting the right nursing home and monitoring care on a regular basis.
“Can’t I Just Give My Assets Away?”
Many people wonder, can’t I give my assets away? The answer is, maybe, but only if it’s done just right. The law has severe penalties for people who simply give away their assets to create Medicaid eligibility. In Pennsylvania, for example, every $342.58 given away during the 60-month period immediately preceding the filing of a Medicaid application creates a one-day period of ineligibility. Stated in other words, every $10,420.14 gifted creates a one-month penalty. So even though the federal Gift Tax law allows you to give away up to $15,000 per year per person without gift tax consequences, those gifts could result in a period of ineligibility for Pennsylvania Medicaid. Though some families do spend virtually all of their savings on nursing home care, Medicaid often does not require it. There are a number of strategies which can be used to protect family financial security.
30 BANCROFT LAW